In contrast to courage, we currently have an abundance of
indignation. As an example here, I want to touch on the
forced resignation of the Swiss National Bank’s chairman. The
reporting was unprecedentedly venomous and aggressive.
The shifting of the burden of proof, as in the USA, has long
since also arrived in Switzerland. People in public life must
prove their innocence and are quickly put under general
suspicion.

The hunt for media headlines is further exacerbated by
the yearnings of a self-righteous pack who have tasted blood.
They want the prey they have set their sights on at all costs.
And on the role of the pack, consisting of journalists
and politicians, Jürg Dedial recently wrote the following in the
NZZ: “He who sits so exposed in the glass house of virtue should
be very cautious in making accusations. It is curious that so
many eyes there have suddenly gone blind.”

Then again, Baer says that those who are accused perhaps should
go on an information offensive to get their side of the story out
there.

Of course, we must also say that the accused displayed a poor
grasp of public perception and mediocre communication skills.
They thus become easy prey. More courage in terms of openness and
the willingness to go on the information offensive would be
better in such matters.